Most of you have been teaching for several weeks. Patterns are probably beginning to emerge and classroom routines are probably making you feel more comfortable than you were when you started. Can you still see the teacher that you started this semester wanting to be? Are you satisfied that you're actually teaching or are you concerned that you may be getting immersed in playing the "game of school*?" Assess your teaching so far. What are you doing well, and what do you know you need to work on? What evidence are you seeing for both your successes and difficulties? What are you determined to change and why?
I think I started this semester wanting to be the best teacher I could. I was extremely nervous about the profound effect I could have on a child's educational experience. I think my teaching strengths have continued to grow while teaching thus far. I believe I am actually teaching. I think that " the game of school" is difficult to keep from happening but that does not mean it is impossible. I see instance of "the game of school" in the high school more than the middle school. The students do not like to answer questions in my classes. It would often be easier to give the students the answer to the questions quickly so that the lesson goes smoothly and the timing is as planned. I find myself having to stop at these moments in the class take a breath and continue to ask the question until students have tried to answer. Often I try to rephrase the question because I am trying to keep in mind that they do not think the way I do and putting the question into other words might spark a thought. I also try to create an environment in which the students can give a wrong answer and feel that there is nothing wrong with it. I remind the students that it is okay to guess or state an idea you have. It doesn't matter if it is right or wrong it just matters that the students are thinking about the subject. If they are thinking about the topic at hand I think they are more likely to make connections to the material, even if their thinking is not completely correct at first.I also think it is easy to fall into th habit of assigning chapter reading, assigning the questions at the end of the chapter and having worksheets in class. If you do this the class seems to run more smoothly. I think this idea that the class is running "smoothly" is an illusions. When you get below the surface of what appears to be learning you notice that not many students are learning much at all.
I think what I am doing well is being able to be flexible and adapt to different situations. The ability to adapt is very important as a teacher I think I have been doing well making connections, alternating types of instruction and delivery of most lessons.. One of the items I believe I need to work on is pacing and allowing enough wait time. The wait time is essential to their learning and I think sometimes I feel a little pressured to complete the lesson entirely that I have planned for that day. Ensuring there is enough wait time will aid in trying to make sure the students are understanding the content. Another area would be managing the classroom. I think that I am okay at it, and I continued to make improvements but I think it is a difficult concept to learn and apply. I have noticed that the more I teach and the more I try to get tot know my students, the more easily the classroom is managed/
Some of the evidence I am seeing in the classrooms for my successes are that students appear to be engaged and provide feedback through answering questions, asking questions, and doing well overall on assessments. THe evidence I have gathered for the the difficulties would be that students may not be answering questions when prompted. They may appear to be slightly distracted. Some students have a look which has told me they may not be understanding all I have said. The evidence for the difficulties is not happening on multiple occasions but it does give me feedback on how to alter my instruction.
I am determined to change anything that I am doing that is not working in the classroom. I think that is a skill that teachers must possess. They need to be able to change the instruction and make it more understandable if the students are having difficulties comprehending the material being taught.
I think I started this semester wanting to be the best teacher I could. I was extremely nervous about the profound effect I could have on a child's educational experience. I think my teaching strengths have continued to grow while teaching thus far. I believe I am actually teaching. I think that " the game of school" is difficult to keep from happening but that does not mean it is impossible. I see instance of "the game of school" in the high school more than the middle school. The students do not like to answer questions in my classes. It would often be easier to give the students the answer to the questions quickly so that the lesson goes smoothly and the timing is as planned. I find myself having to stop at these moments in the class take a breath and continue to ask the question until students have tried to answer. Often I try to rephrase the question because I am trying to keep in mind that they do not think the way I do and putting the question into other words might spark a thought. I also try to create an environment in which the students can give a wrong answer and feel that there is nothing wrong with it. I remind the students that it is okay to guess or state an idea you have. It doesn't matter if it is right or wrong it just matters that the students are thinking about the subject. If they are thinking about the topic at hand I think they are more likely to make connections to the material, even if their thinking is not completely correct at first.I also think it is easy to fall into th habit of assigning chapter reading, assigning the questions at the end of the chapter and having worksheets in class. If you do this the class seems to run more smoothly. I think this idea that the class is running "smoothly" is an illusions. When you get below the surface of what appears to be learning you notice that not many students are learning much at all.
I think what I am doing well is being able to be flexible and adapt to different situations. The ability to adapt is very important as a teacher I think I have been doing well making connections, alternating types of instruction and delivery of most lessons.. One of the items I believe I need to work on is pacing and allowing enough wait time. The wait time is essential to their learning and I think sometimes I feel a little pressured to complete the lesson entirely that I have planned for that day. Ensuring there is enough wait time will aid in trying to make sure the students are understanding the content. Another area would be managing the classroom. I think that I am okay at it, and I continued to make improvements but I think it is a difficult concept to learn and apply. I have noticed that the more I teach and the more I try to get tot know my students, the more easily the classroom is managed/
Some of the evidence I am seeing in the classrooms for my successes are that students appear to be engaged and provide feedback through answering questions, asking questions, and doing well overall on assessments. THe evidence I have gathered for the the difficulties would be that students may not be answering questions when prompted. They may appear to be slightly distracted. Some students have a look which has told me they may not be understanding all I have said. The evidence for the difficulties is not happening on multiple occasions but it does give me feedback on how to alter my instruction.
I am determined to change anything that I am doing that is not working in the classroom. I think that is a skill that teachers must possess. They need to be able to change the instruction and make it more understandable if the students are having difficulties comprehending the material being taught.